Tourism Plans Could Include RBC Bid:

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Tourism Plans Could Include RBC Bid

Written by Peter McIntyre

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 17:05

Hosting a future Royal Bank Cup could be a way of boosting tourism in Vernon.
The city's tourism manager Michelle Jefferson, will take a look at the costs and support for making a bid for the national Junior A hockey championship.

Councillor Jack Gilroy is surprised a small city like Dauphin, Manitoba, with 8,000 residents, was able to host it this year.

"It was a $300,000 bill for the city to put that on up front, so I'd like to see how Dauphin did it because I know that we could support this.There's a lot of people in this town who want it to come here. It's a great economic development thing with people coming to the city, and it's a national event."

Councillor Patrick Nicol, who raised the idea of hosting the tournament, says bidding for the event would be a way to show appreciation for the Vernon Vipers franchise ---who he feels are under recognized for their economic impact to the city.

"It's huge, and if you didn't have them it would be interesting to see the number of (restaurant) meals lost, hotel rooms lost."

Jefferson told council the tournament can carry a hefty cost, making it a risky endeavour to put on as past hosts like Prince George and Victoria found out.

She says they would need community support for the idea, before moving forward with a bid.